Stella knelt by the bathtub, gently holding the trembling bat in her hands. Its small body shivered, dark fur damp from the warm water. She’d found it under a park bench, injured and helpless — there was no way she could’ve left it.

“There we go,” she cooed softly, dipping a cloth in the water. “Just a little more, then I’ll get you some food.”

The bat twitched, letting out a tiny squeak. Its glossy black eyes blinked up at her, almost too intelligent. She frowned.

“You’re a funny little thing, huh?”

Before she could finish cleaning its wings, the bat spasmed violently. Stella yelped, nearly dropping it as its body twisted unnaturally. Bones cracked. Fur melted into skin. She scrambled back with a gasp as the creature in her hands shifted — not into a bigger bat, but a fully grown, very naked woman sitting in her bathtub.

Stella slapped her hands over her eyes. “What the hell?!”

The woman stretched lazily, dark hair clinging to her shoulders. She tilted her head, fangs glinting as she grinned.

“Well,” she drawled. “That was one hell of a bath.”

“You—you’re a vampire?!”

The woman chuckled. “Guilty.” She leaned back against the tub. “You’re pretty gentle. Maybe next time, bubbles?”

Stella grabbed the nearest towel and flung it at her. “Put that on!”

The vampire caught it, laughing. “Why? You were just holding me.”

“That was when you were a bat!”

“It’s the same body,” she teased. “You’re cute when you blush.”

Stella’s face burned hotter. “Oh my god. This isn’t happening.”

The vampire finally wrapped the towel around herself, though loosely enough that Stella looked away again.

“So,” the woman said, stepping out of the tub. “What’s for dinner?”

“Dinner? You’re not staying here!”

“Sure I am,” she replied with a wink. “You saved me. I owe you one.”

“No, you really don’t,” Stella muttered.

The vampire gave her a toothy smile. “Oh, I like you.”

Stella groaned into her hands. “This is the worst day of my life.”